American held in Syria released

American held in Syria released

(CNN) — American Peter Theo Curtis, who was held hostage by Islamist rebels in Syria, was released Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said.

“Particularly after a week marked by unspeakable tragedy, we are all relieved and grateful knowing that Theo Curtis is coming home after so much time held in the clutches of Jabhat Al-Nusra,” Kerry said in a written announcement.

White House national security adviser Susan Rice said Curtis was safe and no longer in Syria.

“We expect he will be reunited with his family shortly,” Rice said.

U.S. authorities have been aware of the case since Curtis was abducted in 2012.